Scripture:
Luke 6:37-38 ESV
[37] “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; [38] give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Observation:
Thinking about how to put all this together as the day passed brought my heart to this scripture. One of the first things that came to mind is what is being said about judgment. Jesus is making it clear that HIS listeners are aware that what you do is brought back to you in one way or another. For example, HE opens up with judgment. Saying if that’s what you are going to do, then that’s what is going to be returned to you. If we look at the scripture chosen today, we can see that clearly. The Bible says, “Judge not, and you will not be judged.” It’s my thought that judgment has to do with condemnation. Because the very next sentence in this verse brings us to that statement. Condemn not, and you will not be condemned. Implying that everything you do is returned to you. Again, the very next part of this verse confirms my thinking. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. If you look at that statement… it’s honestly pretty heavy. Because looking at what has been said so far, we can see that the reverse is also something that needs to be considered as well. If you refuse to forgive, then forgiveness is withheld. The Bible says you reap what you sow. Verse 38 confirms that as well. Just to be honest, this is not the direction I thought this SOAP was going to go. That’s why I’m glad I didn’t write it. It’s my firm belief that these are written by the Holy Spirit. So, moving on to verse 38, what we see is… what we give is what we are given. The word “IT” is the key. It means in like kind. What you give you get in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
Application:
I have a question. what is it you want out of life? As I look at the scripture. It seems to operate differently than you might think. Ok, so I need to tell you what just happened in my life. It was rather unexpected. To be honest, it was the last thing I expected… but when the knock came to my door, I answered… it was my son who was standing there with his long-time girlfriend and asked if he could use a tool of mine. Of course, I quickly found out his visit was not just about a tool. As we started to get what he said, he was here, for that became clearer. Standing at the tailgate of my truck, the Holy Spirit cleared things up. With tears in his eyes, he asked me to forgive him. In the past, we have had our differences. The only answer was yes. I forgive you. Scripture just came flowing through my heart and out my mouth, and being right in the middle of this SOAP forgiveness was the only option. It was the right thing to do… I have so many things I need to be forgiven for. Who am I to not forgive? Who am I to judge? Who am I to condemn? We all need to be forgiven. Not one of us can stand before the Almighty and say that we are without sin. We all need mercy and grace. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you I love Tyler. He is an amazing young man whom GOD has always had a plan for. I get to see that unfold, and to be honest, it has been a little difficult to let go of him long enough for GOD to get ahold of him. But when my hands are in the way, GOD can’t put HIS hands on it. My point is this. What do you need… do you need to be judged, or do you need to be forgiven? Because you will be met with the same thing you give. GOD is good, y’all, and I just got to watch and be a part of this scripture unfolding right in front of me. I’m grateful to share it with you. Give what you need, and you will get it back pressed down, shaken together and running over.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you can do what we can’t. We have just witnessed that. You are honestly so amazing. We know that we are supposed to forgive. We are supposed to show mercy and grace. But let that not be the reason we do it. Help us to see that we need to do the right thing because it’s the right thing. Not to gain any kind of favor from you. I just want to thank you for what you have done today in my life. I knew it would come because it’s just who you are. You restore your redeem, you rebuild, and you make new. It’s just who you are. Let us be a reflection of who you are. You are good. You are righteous. We want to do the right thing. Help us to see what that is so that we can do it. we love you it’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen